Defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes put his No. 1-plated Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 on top of the order in Thursday's season-opening qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway.
With an outright top speed of 205.42 miles per hour, 36-year-old made his way to the front of the pack early in the session and never relented, ultimately claiming the provisional pole position with a lap of 1:38.385 around the Speedway's 2.90-mile short course.
Reminiscent of his stellar qualifying form of one season ago in which his seven poles laid the foundation for his successful title defense, Hayes was over a second quicker than his closest rivals for the majority of the session.
"I'm really happy," Hayes said. "The Monster Energy Graves Yamaha crew has obviously done a lot of good work; we find ourselves a lot further up in the trap speeds."
I've worked pretty hard in the offseason. I feel really good on the bike and I'm doing lots of laps. All-in-all, I'm just really happy to be here. The weather is perfect. It's Daytona Beach, Florida, riding motorcycles." the Mississippian concluded.
Yoshimura Racing Suzuki's Blake Young brought the margin in considerably on his last flying lap, however, ripping off a 1:38.579 to finish less than two tenths behind his rival. Young, who only claimed a single pole in 2011, will look to do one better in Friday morning's final qualifying session in hopes of stealing an early one-point advantage prior to the afternoon's season-opening race.
National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden was another man who did well to live up to lofty preseason expectations on Thursday, clocking the third fastest lap and standing as the last man to break into the 1:38s, finishing the 45-minute session at 1:38.948.
The final grid for Friday afternoon's AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike season opener will be set following the conclusion of tomorrow morning's second qualifying session.
In the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike it was, Jason DiSalvo of the Latus Motors Racing team who topped practice for the DAYTONAå¨ 200 on Thursday. The Triumph-mounted rider posted a best time of 1:49.734 and was the only rider to break the 1:50 mark.
Young competitors Cameron Beaubier and Joey Pascarella joined the veteran rider at the front on Thursday afternoon.
Main Photo: The No. 1-plated Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 sets the pace in early qualifying.
Photo Credit: Yamaha-Motor
